Stoke City eye up 6-time England international ‘keeper as Jack Butland links continue

Stadium during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester City at the Bet365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, England on 12 March 2018. Picture by Graham Holt.

According to Football Insider, Championship side Stoke City are eyeing up a move for Southampton’s England international ‘keeper Fraser Forster, if they lose Jack Butland.

Stoke City’s first choice ‘keeper Jack Butland is one of England’s best shot stoppers, and was expected to leave Stoke in the summer after they were relegated from the Premier League. However, The Potters managed to hold on to the highly rated 25-year-old despite serious interest and has gone on to make 17 Championship appearances, but hasn’t been able to help Gary Rowett’s side to the start they would’ve wanted.

Despite remaining with Stoke, links have continued between Butland and some of the Premier League’s best, with Chelsea keen on the Englishman. With that in mind, Gary Rowett is keeping eyes on possible replacements, and has identified Southampton ‘keeper Fraser Forster as a potential replacement for Butland.

Forster has seen himself frozen out under Mark Hughes, with Alex McCarthy – who recently made his England debut – emerging as the first choice in between the sticks and Angus Gunn – who came in for £12m from Manchester City in the summer – taking up the spot on the bench, leaving Forster third choice at St Mary’s.

The ‘keeper may be reluctant to drop down to the second tier of English football, however. Forster hasn’t played outside of the top division in both Scotland with Celtic and England with Southampton since his loan spell with Norwich City in the 2009/10 season.